About Tongue Tie

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What is Tongue Tie?
Some babies are born with a congenital anomaly known as Tongue Tie, which has the medical name Ankyloglossia. The most up to date research can by found here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30701608/

A tongue tie is a midline fold of in the floor of the mouth fascia connective tissue that on raising the tongue is shorter/tighter than usual, restricting movement of the tongue.

Has your baby got a Tongue Tie?

IMPORTANT:

If you are having any of the below feeding issues, it is important to see a tongue tie trained specialist to perform a full assessment of the function of the tongue, please ask the professional you are seeing if they have completed the specialist training. 

Tongue Tie can cause feeding difficulties, particularly with breast/chestfeeding.

Such as:

  • Painful breast/chestfeeding
  • Sore and/or damaged nipples
  • Issues with the mothers milk supply
  • Shallow latch onto the breast
  • Noisy feeding (clicking/slurping)
  • Slipping off the breast regularly
  • Unsettled during and unsatisfied following feeds
  • Poor weight gain
  • Increased weight loss (than expected)
  • Excessive dribbling
  • Excessive wind/hiccoughs
  • Reflux/Colic/Vomiting

 

 

Me and/or my baby are suffering from some of these symptoms… What should I do?
These challenges may or may not be as a direct result of the baby having a Tongue Tie, however they would warrant further detailed assessment and inspection of the tongue by a health professional adequately trained to identify Tongue Tie.

If the health professional is unsure, a referral should be made to a more experienced professional in tongue tie assessment. Referral within the NHS may be possible, however waiting times may be lengthy which is why many families will seek the advice of a private Tongue Tie practitioner.

Some practitioners believe that if a baby with Tongue Tie has difficulty breastfeeding, surgical division of the Tongue Tie, called Frenulotomy, should be considered after a full consultation, oral assessment and consideration of non invasive approaches such as Craniosacral Therapy.

This may enable breast/chestfeeding to continue rather than having to switch to artificial feeding.

See here for further information about Tongue Tie from the ATP (Association of Tongue Tie Practitioners) : https://www.tongue-tie.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ATP-Parent-Info.pdf